Today, we’re highlighting those who don’t need any help creating amazing portfolios. In this article, you’ll find 20 outstanding portfolio sites from both individual designers and creative studios worldwide — each one incorporating a feature that makes it special. Let’s take a look at what makes them inspiring.

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1. Robby Leonardi

What it’s about: If you associate portfolios with a dry list of facts, this portfolio might surprise you. Robby found a novel way of displaying what was otherwise dry information — he laid out his portfolio site as a videogame that the visitor can actually play. This incredibly fun interactive design portfolio will make you scroll with joy.

2. Yul Moreau

What it’s about: Yul Moreau's site is a great example of using visuals to drive user engagement. He takes his inspiration from the 1980s, and in fact dedicates his portfolio to the era. A single page layout with embedded videos, images, and clever scroll effects show all his experience and skills off nicely.

3. Daniel Spatzek

Why it’s special: Daniel shows off both his graphic and web design skills.

What it’s about: Being both graphic and web designer, Daniel demonstrates his skills beautifully in his portfolio. By using a plenty of CSS tricks and animation, he brings everything to life and creates a truly dynamic experience.

4. ToyFight

What it’s about: This beautifully minimal and easy to navigate portfolio from ToyFight is a feast for the eyes. A combination of minimal design together with vibrant colors creates an atmosphere of creativity, and engages visitors to spend more time on the site.

6. Rezo Zero

What it’s about: Rezo Zero is a creative studio that specializes in brand strategy and digital creation. The portfolio feels like a digital magazine — it’s full of beautiful images and nicely selected typefaces. But what makes it even better is a detailed and thoughtfully put together case study for each project.

7. Wokine

What it’s about: Split screen — one screen divided into two — is the latest visual design trend. Wokine flawlessly incorporates this technique in its homepage design. The portfolio itself is ultra-minimalistic, with a lot of spacing and simple color schemes. This creates a good visual hierarchy, and makes it possible to understand what’s important at a glance.

8. Legwork Studio

What it’s about: Legwork is an independent studio based in Denver, CO. They create animation and interactive experiences. A majority of first-time visitors will be impressed by the unique animation on the homepage — it’s not like anything you’ve ever seen before.

9. Hannah Purmort

What it’s about: Hannah Purmort is a designer who believes in design that connects people. Her site is a great example of how to communicate using images and color — she uses the color red for the wayfinding experience and for navigation.

10. Werkstatt Wundersite

Why it’s special: Werkstatt Wundersite found a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics for their portfolio.

What it’s about: Just because a portfolio site needs to be well designed doesn’t mean it needs to be extravagant. In fact, many effective portfolio sites take more of a minimalist approach to the design of the site itself. Werkstatt Wundersite is a great example of this. The site is classically minimalist, with lots of white space and large type. A strong attention to detail within this portfolio is what really makes it stand out.

12. Lounge Lizard

What it’s about: It’s hard to make a site look professional and playful at the same time, without it looking tacky. Lounge Lizard manages this balance with ease. This team describes themselves as 'brand tenders,' and this bar-themed portfolio fits their work and style perfectly. The portfolio is full of detailed case studies and information, presented in a friendly way.

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13. STRV

Why it’s special: STRV uses videos to give visitors a taste of how the agency works.

What it’s about: STRV is a digital product agency focused on creating mobile experiences. The team introduces itself using videos — a background video provides an idea of how the team works, and a full-screen video that appears on screen after you click a play button, describes the process in full detail.

13. Femme Fatale

What it’s about: Femme Fatale is a creative studio focused on creating works of art. The team describes itself as being “somewhere between sophistication and simplicity,” and its portfolio excellently reflects this tone: bold imagery, black color schemes, and crisp typefaces create a sophisticated look.

14. Tobias Ahlin

What it’s about: Tobias Ahlin gets straight to the point in his portfolio, “I design and build digital products.” He uses a minimalistic, card-based layout and animations to present his work. Each case study links directly to the final product.

15. Stink Studio

What it’s about: Stink Studio is focused on helping forward-thinking clients succeed in digital culture. The studio puts their work front and center in a masonry layout. A list of projects include websites, promo campaign, and even VR/360 experiences.

16. Bert

What it’s about: Netherlands-based creative studio Bert presents their work in branding, design, and development in truly fun and engaging way. The team has created a mascot called Bert (“a superb bird-of-paradise”). This little character makes the website more personal, authentic, and trustworthy.

17. Sean Halpin

What it’s about: A portfolio is more than a list of work — it’s a chance to show off your individual skills and personality as a creative person. Sean Halpin’s website is an excellent example of this. Sean creates not just a portfolio, but a little green world in which you can discover how he can help you build the perfect site.

18. Patrick David

Why it’s special: Patrick manages to fit his entire portfolio into a single page.

What it’s about: Patrick’s portfolio is a great example of a one-page, long-scroll website. Visitors scroll down past the beautiful hero section to a number of example projects that he's worked on, followed by a link to direct communication. Simple, yet very effective.

19. Stereo

Why it’s special: Stereo is focused on understanding a consumer’s emotional relationship with a brand.

What it’s about: London-based agency Stereo Creative has created this simple yet striking portfolio site. The agency's work takes centre stage on its website, with plenty of colorful, full-width images, and videos showing off what they can do. Stereo aims to create a deeper emotional connection with visitors.

20. Steven Mengin

What it’s about: Steven makes use of strong visuals to provide an idea of his abilities at a glance. When visitors enter Steven’s website, the first thing they see is a beautifully animated cloudscape effect. It’s a pure joy just to sit and watch this undulate.

Demonstrate your depth

Creating a great web design portfolio is a journey that involves a lot of effort (time, learning, and iteration) — but it’s definitely worth it. If you succeed, your portfolio will demonstrate the depth of your abilities as a creative professional, showcase your thought process, and give potential employers or clients insight into what it might be like to work with you. I hope that some portfolio examples listed in this article will inspire you to level up your design portfolio.

Which portfolio sites inspire you most? Tell us in the comments section below!

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About the Author

Nick Babich is a developer, tech enthusiast, and UX lover. He's spent the last 10 years working in the software industry, with a specialized focus on development. He counts advertising, psychology, and cinema among his myriad interests.